Nasu Highlands Autumn Leaves Guide 2026: A Complete Guide to a Kanto Highland Foliage Getaway
Nasu Highlands Autumn Foliage Guide Overview
The Nasu Highlands, north of Tokyo, are Tochigi’s most popular highland resort, and the Shinkansen reaches Nasushiobara from Tokyo in only 70-80 minutes. Cool summers, autumn foliage, and the Nasu Imperial Villa, the Imperial family’s summer retreat, make it a favorite of the Imperial family and families alike. Its main appeal is a relaxed highland pace.
Autumn color peaks in stages by altitude. From late September to early October, the summit of Mount Chausu turns first. From late October to early November, the color moves to the Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge in Nasushiobara. You can see autumn leaves from mountain top to valley. Nasu autumn leaves peak in stages by altitude, with the Mount Chausu summit turning first.
We suggest pairing the Nasu Highlands with hot springs and a family ranch for a two-day, one-night trip. This lets you enjoy the Nasu Highlands resort pace at leisure.
Still at the Foot of the Mountain After You Get Off: A Key Nasu Transit Reminder
Nasushiobara Station is at the mountain’s foot, so take a bus or rent a car up. The Tohoku Shinkansen “Nasuno” takes about 70-80 minutes from Tokyo to Nasushiobara. A JR Pass may suit heavy JR use, but the Kanto Bus up the mountain is not covered. Stay at a hot spring inn or resort in the Nasu Highlands to soak once day visitors leave, then see the sights first thing next morning.
Nasu Highlands Transit Guide: A Full Breakdown from Tokyo
Kanto Bus Nasu Line: The Only Option Without a Car
Take the Kanto Bus Nasu Line from the west exit of Nasushiobara Station. To Nasu-Yumoto it costs ¥1,170 one way, and to the ropeway station it takes about 70 to 85 minutes (¥1,640 one way). It is the main way up to the highlands for travelers who do not drive.
Service is not frequent, and in off-peak hours there is often one bus every hour or two, so be sure to check the latest bus timetable before you go to avoid a long wait.
This bus section is not covered by the JR Pass and must be paid for separately, so include it in your budget planning.
The bus stops at places such as Animal Kingdom and the ranches along the way, so you can flexibly choose where to get off to fit family attractions.
Rental Car: The Best Choice for Visiting Many Sights
Driving is more convenient if you plan to visit several ranches, museums and the ropeway. Leave the expressway at Nasu IC and follow the Nasu Highway toward Yumoto. Most sights, such as Minamigaoka Farm and Animal Kingdom, have free or low-cost parking. For a family in one car, driving beats waiting for buses, and it lets you combine sights with large altitude differences, such as the “Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge” and “Mount Chausu,” without timetables. This advantage is greatest on peak-season weekends when traffic is heavy. You can also add foliage drives such as the “Ensan Skyline” or “Nichien Momiji Line” for a highland driving trip.
Getting to the Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge: JR Bus Shuttle
Take a JR Bus from Nasushiobara Station toward Shiobara Onsen and get off at the “Momijidani Ohashi” or “Kaikobashi” stop, then walk about 3 minutes. This is the most direct public transport option. The bridge is in Nasu Town and Mount Chausu is in Nasushiobara City, with a considerable driving distance between them. Linking them by car is smoothest on the same day, while buses need more time for transfers and waiting. If you have time, add Komadome Falls and Benten Suspension Bridge on the way to and from Shiobara Onsen.
Avoiding Traffic Jams and Crowds
In peak foliage season (especially October weekends), the “Nasu Volcano Highway” leading to the Nasu Ropeway foot station is very prone to heavy jams. We strongly recommend passing through the Nasu-Yumoto hot spring town before 6:00 a.m. to start up the mountain, or visiting from Monday to Friday, which saves a lot of time in traffic.
On peak foliage weekends, parking lots often fill up before 4:30-5:00 a.m. If you have time, consider staying at a highland hot spring inn. You can soak quietly after the day visitors leave and go straight to the sights the next morning, with no need to go up and down the mountain every day.
A Complete Guide to Nasu Highlands Autumn Foliage Spots
Mount Chausu and the Nasu Ropeway: Active Volcano Foliage Views
Mount Chausu, the main peak of the Nasu range, is an active volcano about 1,915 meters high with sulfur gas still rising from its summit. The Nasu Ropeway runs to the ninth-station summit station roughly from March 20 to December 13 in 2026 (subject to maintenance), 8:30-16:30, about every 20 minutes. A round trip is ¥2,000. Mount Chausu is an active volcano with sulfur gas rising from its summit.
The trail from the ropeway takes about 40-60 minutes over volcanic gravel, with views over the Kanto Plain. Check the official website and the Japan Meteorological Agency’s alert level before you go, as the ropeway and trail may close with rising volcanic activity, strong wind or thick fog.
Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge: A 320-Meter Foliage Bridge
There is a “Lovers’ Sanctuary” lookout where you can see the whole bridge.
The Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge is 320 meters long and spans a valley, with spectacular views of red maples. Address: 1425-60 Sekiya, Nasushiobara, Tochigi; phone 0287-34-1037; open 08:30-18:00 (08:30-16:00 from 11/1 to 3/31). The momijidani suspension bridge offers spectacular views of red maples.
Admission prices rise from October 1, 2026: adults from ¥300 to ¥400, children and seniors to ¥300.
Sessho-seki and Nasu-Yumoto: Land of the Nine-Tailed Fox Legend
Legend says Sessho-seki seals the resentment of the nine-tailed fox (Tamamo-no-Mae), and people and animals that come near it die, hence the name “Sessho” (killing stone). In March 2022 the rock split, sparking talk that the “seal had been broken,” but the stone surface already had cracks before it split and it was natural deterioration. It is now preserved as split, with a shimenawa rope tied around it, and the boardwalk around it is open free of charge. The sessho seki stone is said to seal the resentment of the nine-tailed fox.
Nasu-Yumoto Onsen, where Sessho-seki stands, is the source of Nasu’s hot springs. Sulfur steam and geothermal heat rise from the ground where nothing grows, and the grey-white ground, dotted with a dense field of “Sai no Kawara” jizo statues, creates a solemn atmosphere. The boardwalk loop takes under 30 minutes, and we advise staying away from the spring vents. It can also be combined with Shika no Yu.
Shika no Yu: A Thousand-Year-Old Sulfur Communal Bath
Shika no Yu is the soul hot spring of Nasu-Yumoto. Legend says an injured deer soaked here about 1,300 years ago, giving it its name. It is a traditional bathhouse with milky white sulfur water. Adults pay ¥500, elementary students ¥300, and infants are free. It is open from 8:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30.
The pools range from 41 to 48 degrees. Pour hot water over yourself with a wooden bucket first, then soak from cooler to hotter pools. Body wash and shampoo are not sold, so bring or buy towels. Your skin will carry a faint sulfur smell after bathing.
Komadome Falls: A Foliage Waterfall in Nasu Heisei no Mori
Komadome Falls is in Nasu Heisei no Mori, within Nikko National Park, and is called the “number one waterfall of Nasu.” Peak color is around mid to late October, and you need to walk a short trail to reach it. It is a foliage spot near Mount Chausu worth a visit.
Entry to Nasu Heisei no Mori is free, general opening hours are 9:00-16:30, and it is closed on Wednesdays (the next day if a national holiday falls on Wednesday).
Nasu Animal Kingdom and Minamigaoka Farm: The Top Pick for Families
Nasu Animal Kingdom has an outdoor “Kingdom Farm” and an indoor “Kingdom Town,” with capybaras, alpacas, big cats and a bird-of-prey flight show, plus indoor areas to play in when it rains. Admission is ¥2,900 for adults and ¥1,300 for ages 3 through elementary school. Minamigaoka Farm has free entry and free parking, sits at about 650 meters above sea level, and lets you get close to cows, horses, alpacas and donkeys.
On rainy days, you can switch to indoor attractions such as the Nasu Stained Glass Museum and the Nasu Teddy Bear Museum.
![Tochigi Japan | Nasu Animal Kingdom e-ticket booking [¥100 cheaper than buying at the gate!]](https://travel.williamlion.tw/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/09/image-170.jpg)
Nasu Onsen Shrine: A Shrine to Visit on the Way
Nasu Onsen Shrine is often visited along ropeway and Sessho-seki routes. Near Nasu-Yumoto hot spring area, its old trees and autumn colors complement each other. It fits well after climbing Mount Chausu or Sessho-seki, as a place to pray for a safe journey.
The shrine grounds are small and take about 15-20 minutes to walk through. It is an easy stop to fit into the Nasu-Yumoto hot spring itinerary without taking much time from your foliage trip, and a good last stop on a Nasu-Yumoto walking route.
Ensan Skyline and Nichien Momiji Line: Foliage Drive Roads
Drivers should not miss the two foliage drive routes, the “Ensan Skyline” and the “Nichien Momiji Line.” Peak color on the Nichien Momiji Line is around late October to early November, with layer upon layer of autumn color along the way, a classic driving foliage experience in the Nasu Highlands.
Nasu has the “Nasu Seven Springs,” with a history of more than 1,300 years, comprising seven sources: Shika no Yu, Benten, Kita, Daimaru, Takao, Hachiman and Sanzu Koya. The local foods “Nasu wagyu” and “Nasu Kogen milk” are also worth tasting.
Tickets and Guided Tours
In the Nasu Highlands, the following tours and tickets can make your foliage trip easier and deeper:
Nasu Ropeway Ticket: Active Volcano Foliage Views
The Nasu Ropeway round trip costs ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for ages 3 through elementary school. Check the day’s operating status on the official website, or on KKday or Klook, before you go. The active volcano may close and suspend service at short notice in strong wind, thick fog or when volcanic activity rises.
Ride in the morning, when the weather is more stable, for the best summit views. Then walk the Sessho-seki trail and Shika no Yu after coming down. On peak-season weekends, queue early at the foot station for the first ropeway to avoid crowds and catch the clearest early-morning visibility.
Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge Tickets: A 320-Meter Foliage Bridge
The new prices have been in effect since October 2026. Carry enough cash, since ticket windows at some out-of-town sights may not accept electronic payment. The paths around the bridge are gentle and suit travelers of all ages. It works well as a stopover on a Shiobara Onsen area itinerary.
From October 1, 2026, Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge tickets cost ¥400 for adults and ¥300 for children and seniors. Buy them on site, with no online reservation needed. On peak foliage weekends, avoid the midday crowd peak.
We suggest visiting the bridge on your way to or from the Shiobara Onsen area, especially in foliage season.
Nasu Animal Kingdom Tickets: A Whole Day for Kids to Burn Off Energy
Check the show schedule first. Wear comfortable shoes and bring rain gear for changeable mountain weather. The park has plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops, so you need not plan meals in advance.
Ticket prices: ¥2,900 for adults and ¥1,300 for ages 3 through elementary school. In winter (December to February), only the indoor Kingdom Town is open, at ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for ages 3 through elementary school. Buy tickets in advance on KKday or Klook. Plan a whole day, and check timed shows such as the bird-of-prey flight show beforehand to plan your route.
Nasu Highlands One-Day Chartered Car: See It All Without Driving
Chartered car service adjusts the vehicle type and itinerary flexibly by group size, for travelers who want a customized route. Book 3-5 days in advance. Peak-season weekends are in high demand, too.
The itinerary can link the Mount Chausu ropeway, Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge, Sessho-seki and Animal Kingdom, sparing you bus transfers and car rental worries, and suits families or elders traveling together.
Some plans can extend to Nikko Toshogu and Kegon Falls, taking in the autumn colors of both Nasu and Nikko at once, suited to a three-to-four-day in-depth Tochigi trip.
Where to Stay in the Nasu Highlands
Where to Stay: Nasu Onsen Area or Highland Resort Hotels
Stay at a hot spring inn or resort hotel in the Nasu hot spring area or around Nasu-Yumoto, so you can soak after day visitors leave and reach the sights first thing next morning. This suits a two-day, one-night trip. Nasu has lodging at many prices, but rooms run short in peak season (summer, foliage weekends and long holidays), so book 1-2 months ahead. Resort stays such as Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Nasu suit families with children. Some hot spring inns offer one-night, two-meal plans with Nasu wagyu kaiseki cuisine, a great way to try local food.
Nasu Highlands Foliage FAQ
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in the Nasu Highlands?
The Mount Chausu area is high in altitude and changes first, around late September to early October. The mid-slope highlands and hot spring area come later, from late October to early November, and the Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge peaks around the same time.
How much is the Mount Chausu ropeway?
A round trip costs ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for ages 3 through elementary school. It runs roughly from March 20 to December 13 in 2026 and closes in winter. Check the official website for the day’s operating status before you go.
How much is admission to the Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge?
From October 1, 2026 it is adjusted to ¥400 for adults and ¥300 for children and seniors. You can buy tickets on site, with no need to reserve online in advance.
Is the Nasu Highlands good for traveling with children?
Very much so. Nasu Animal Kingdom, Minamigaoka Farm and the Alpaca Farm are all popular family attractions, with the Stained Glass Museum and Teddy Bear Museum as rainy-day backups. It is one of the few resort areas in Kanto where kids can burn off energy all day.
Is it better to drive or take the bus?
If you want to visit several sights (ranch + museum + ropeway + suspension bridge), driving is far more flexible than the bus. If you do not drive, the Kanto Bus Nasu Line is the only option, but service is not frequent, so be sure to check the timetable first and plan around the departures.
